Going back

Yes. I’m going back to India in March 2010! This trip will have a different mission than the last. Here are some details:

• I will be traveling with the Arts Team.
• We are going to the village of Kalavai, in Tamil Nadu, India.
• We will work with construction teams in the morning.
• In the afternoons we will be traveling to concert locations throughout the village edifying a local pastor.

Some things you can do or pray for:

• Each team member needs to raise $3000 quickly.  Pray that we would be able to raise what we need in these challenging times.
• We are working with a Bangalore production company for our equipment.  Pray that it works out smoothly.  It would be much less expensive to rent sound equipment, instruments, etc., than fly ours to India.
• Contribute online by going  here.  If you have a gccwired account you will be asked to login, if not you can easily set up an account.
• Contribute by sending a check to Granger Community Church, 630 E. University Drive, Granger, IN 46530, attention India team.  Put the team member’s name on the subject line or include a note with the check.

I’d love to send you an email or a letter sharing more details about the trip.  If you are interested, leave a comment.  When you do I will be able to email you. 

 

What a dollar can do

Like many, this month is tight for us financially. I’m actually amazed at the clarity it can bring.

This month Caryn and I are keeping track of every dollar we spend. As we each left the car in the parking lot of Panera, I said to her, “You can spend the two dollars today hon.”

As I sat there NOT drinking a hot coffee and NOT eating a delicious bagel with amazing cream cheese, I actually felt a tinge of (don’t laugh)… Sadness.

Why was I sad I couldn’t spend a dollar? I smiled at myself and to God, thanking Him for the renewed focus on what was important.

I think sometimes I can comfort myself with the ability to aquire. It’s a byproduct of growing up in a consumer society I suppose.

Psalm 119.77 says “Comfort me so I can really live.” Read it here: http://read.ly/Ps119.77.msg

I want God to be my source of comfort. Not the temporary version that comes from the aquiring of things.

Maybe in January I’ll have a coffee and bagel with cream cheese.

Lunch discovery

I was just about to bite into my lunch and I noticed something: there was still a leaf attached.

I’ve never eaten a store bought apple that had a leaf attached from the tree. How cool! Then I noticed that under the leaf the apple’s skin was still yellow. You can just see it peeking through in the picture.

Made me think, how do I let the light of God’s Word change me? Do I look different where I keep myself sheltered from it?

I think I’ll enjoy more of the book of John while I eat my lunch.

How about you?

Menial tasks

I was given a menial task a while ago that could take me a while to do.

Days actually.

I don’t do tedious very well. Tedious is my cure for daytime insomnia.

But, as usual, God sees things differently:

- It’s an opportunity to help someone. Gal 6.10

- I can be joyful, pray, and give thanks. 1 Thes 5.16-18

- I can sing in my heart. Eph 5.9

- God’s ways are higher, and smarter, than I think. Is 55.9

 

So as it turns out, my menial task can be an act of worship.

and I LOVE to worship.

Adaptability

So it’s been a while since I’ve blogged.  I figure by now I will likely have a totally new audience.  Life has changed a bit.  New opportunities.  New endeavors.  So I figure… new blog.

I’m going to shift a little in my writing style.  Call it the twitter effect.  I’ve been influenced by Twitter of course, and a few of those I follow, like this guy and this guy. I love blogging. I have missed it.

And I’m back.  I won’t write as long as before, but more than 140  chrs.